Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy, commander of Navy SEAL Team 10, posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 28 June 2005 during a fierce battle with Taliban fighters in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Michael was the first recipient of the nation’s highest military honor as a result of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. He was also the first naval officer to earn the medal since the Vietnam War, and the first SEAL to be honored posthumously.

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Publisher's Summary

Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy, commander of Navy SEAL Team 10, posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 28 June 2005 during a fierce battle with Taliban fighters in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Michael was the first recipient of the nation’s highest military honor as a result of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. He was also the first naval officer to earn the medal since the Vietnam War, and the first SEAL to be honored posthumously.

A young man of great character, he is the subject of Naval Special Warfare courses on leadership, and an Arleigh Burkeclass guided missile destroyer, naval base, school, post office, ball park, and hospital emergency room have all been named in his honor. In his best-selling book, Marcus Luttrell, the only survivor of Operation Red Wings, called Michael "the best officer I ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal, almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy.”

SEAL of Honor tells the story of Michael’s life and how he came to be that man of selfless courage and honor. This biography argues that his heroic action during the deadly firefight with the Taliban revealed his true character and attempts to answer why Michael readily sacrificed his life for his comrades. SEAL of Honor is the story of a valiant young man who was recognized by his peers for his compassion and leadership, because he was guided by an extraordinary sense of duty and responsibility. Tracing Michael’s journey from a seemingly ordinary life on New York’s Long Island to that remote mountainside in Afghanistan, SEAL of Honor portrays how he came to the moment of extraordinary heroism that made him the most celebrated Medal of Honor recipient since WWII.

Moreover, the book brings the Afghan war back to the home front, focusing on the tight-knit Murphy family and the devastating effect his death had on them as they watched the story of Operation Red Wings unfold in the news. The book attempts to answer why Michael’s service to his country and his comrades was a calling faithfully answered, a duty justly upheld, and a life, while all too short, well lived.

I would not go out of my way to purchase because of the author or reader, but I also would not avoid a book by either.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I am only 7 chapters into this book, but felt that I must review early to help others understand fully what this book is about. This book is a short biography of Lt. Murphy that ended in Afghanistan. I thought this book would be a detailing of the combat mission that took Lt. Murphy's life, and that will probably come at the end of the book, but this book starts very slowly detailing his life from birth. That detail moves slowly. It is important for reasons I will speak to below, but when you expect an intense story of combat that slowness can be disappointing.

In the end the fact that this is a biography is both the most interesting and least interesting aspect of this story if you understand the dichotomy of that statement.

Which scene was your favorite?

At this time it is the scene of chopping wood as Lt. Murphy starts his journey into the Navy.

What else would you have wanted to know about Gary Williams’s life?

I think you mean Lt. Murphy's life here. As I have not yet finished yet I cannot answer this.

Any additional comments?

Lt. Murphy deserves to have his life honored and remembered. Since it is impossible to read the accounts of every military man and woman that has given their life, limb, mind in combat, Lt. Murphy's story stands as a representative for them all.

Once, I attended a lecture given by Rachel Miller, a Holocaust survivor. She lost her entire family to the ovens. At the end of her lecture she simply asked that we not forget her family. The same is true of Lt. Murphy, and every military man/woman. We must not forget them as they live on through those that remember them.

So I was disappointing that this book started slowly. Six chapters could easily have been condensed into one brief chapter, prologue, or even a paragraph. The more I listened, the more I wanted to test Audible's return policy. Then it occurred to me that listening to this book was honoring a man that literally died while protecting my family from harm. Once I understood that the slow biographical material came to life for me, and was a good listen.

I am also not a fan of 'perfection' biographies. These 'perfection' biographies lessen the humanity of the subject. It is a given that Lt. Murphy was a better man than I will ever be. That is a given, so help me see him as a real guy.

Of course, I was both motivated by Lt. Murphy's discipline, will, humility, leadership, physical ability, and intelligence, and depressed because in every way Lt. Murphy was a man that I can never be.

Yes. This is not the typical story written about a hero. This isn't James Bond or Rambo. LT Murphy is a hero not just because of his actions in battle. He is a hero because of the lives that he touched and how he impacted them. If you are looking for a battle heavy book this is not it. If you are looking to understand what makes a hero then get it.

Lt. Murphy, the leader of a Navy SEAL squad was killed during a fierce battle against the Taliban on a remote mountainside in the Kongeral Valley in Afghanistan on 28 June 2005. Lt Murphy was the first to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Afghanistan; he was also the first naval officer to receive the Medal since the Viet Nam War. The author tells the story of Murphy’s life and how he came to be a SEAL. The book also goes into detail about the other members of the squad and the men that died on the rescue helicopter that was shot down while attempting to rescue them. The book provides some insight into the military person and their family. I think it is fantastic that the Navy has named a guided-missile destroyer and a naval base after Lt. Murphy. A.T. Chandler did a good job narrating the book.

Having had a Dad who was in one of the U.S. Navy's Special Forces, I have great respect for this man and the family that made him who he was. I am heart wrenched at the family's and friend's loss. This Navy SEAL is a true hero and American Patriot in every sense of the word.

The story is told by a writer that I think doesn't do the story of this SEAL or his family justice. The real story itself is bone chillingly frightening, and hold -your -breath suspenseful. The author tells the story in a redundant, wandering manner that was difficult for me to listen to with out the use of fast forward.

I don't know if the Murphy family approved the writing of this account. There isn't much first person information. Most of it seems to be gleaned from newspaper reports and interviews that the author read about.

I am truly sorry that Michael P. Murphy's story was not told by a better writer.

In my opinion Michael's story should be told to all Americans Middle School aged and up. As an educator for 16 years, I firmly believe the leadership and character that was displayed by Murph should be instilled in our youth of today. And as Americans we must never forget the sacrifices of Murph, his men, and others like him who protect our freedoms.

I LOVED the first time listening to the book, but I would not listen to it a second time. Learning about 'Murph' was great. Knowing some of the amazing qualities and strength of this amazing man was inspiring. To learn everything that goes into making a NSW warrior is awe inspiring, but the book gets a little too detailed which causes you to lose focus due to all the acronyms.

What other book might you compare Seal of Honor to and why?

The Red Circle by Brandon Webb. They are very similar to the description and details pertaining to the NSW world.

Which character – as performed by A. T. Chandler – was your favorite?

All, A.T. Chandler does a great job of reading and has "The voice" for this book. You just can have anyone read you a story about our nations finest.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This story really brings the legacy of Lt. Michael Murphy to life and gives a strong sense of pride and patriotism for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about heroes and Operation Red Wings.

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